DETROIT – The Detroit Tigers clapped back on social media after one publication ranked Comerica Park as the worst remaining playoff atmosphere.
Comerica Park hosted a playoff game for the first time in a decade Wednesday, as the Tigers beat the Guardians, 3-0, to take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five American League Division Series.
It’s the first time Detroit has had a winning team since 2016, and the team’s epic 31-11 run to go from 10 games back to clinching a playoff spot breathed new life into the fan base.
But the Tigers don’t have many stars, and we all know Detroit rarely gets its due respect nationally as a sports city. So it’s no surprise that The Athletic’s rankings of the eight MLB division series atmospheres was less than complimentary of Comerica Park.
Here’s how the eight stadiums were ranked:
- Petco Park (San Diego Padres).
- Citizens Bank Park (Philadelphia Phillies).
- Yankee Stadium.
- Dodger Stadium.
- Kauffman Stadium (Kansas City Royals).
- Citi Field (New York Mets).
- Progressive Field (Cleveland Guardians).
- Comerica Park.
In The Athletic’s defense, Comerica Park has been sleepy for quite a few years. But that’s not the fault of the fans. Detroit sports fans will always -- always -- show up for a competitive team.
The problem is, the Tigers haven’t given fans much reason for excitement since their last playoff appearance in 2014. But now that this team is making a run, the city is fully on board.
The Athletic brought up their own rankings again Wednesday when Comerica Park exploded during a Spencer Torkelson double to bring home the third run of the game.
“Hmm...” the outlet posted alongside the video.
“Wednesday afternoon btw,” the Tigers added.
That’s right: Even though the Tigers keep getting placed in the afternoon playoff slot (not a single primetime game yet in the playoffs), these fans showed out at 3:08 p.m. on a Wednesday.
Just imagine if the Tigers play well Thursday night, under the lights, with a chance to clinch the series.
I think the atmosphere at Comerica Park will be just fine.
